Tourist Police Volunteers

[casper_uk 12]

This is a genuine question without barbs or slants.

 

It does appear that a number of people have differing views over the intended 'role' of the TPV's

 

Is there anyone here who can clarify the definition of their intended function.

 

My belief was that that existed as an intermediary between Thai's and Farang. In confrontational situations, which can occur due to the 'language barrier' and simple cultural differences, I thought they served to calm down these situations and offer 'best advice' to farangs. Enabling the farangs to better enjoy their stay in Pattaya in a safer environment.

 

Additionally, should a farang become obnoxious to the point that he is a liability to himself and a possible danger to others, then the TPV's would step in speaking his language and assist with the arrest or be a calming catalyst.

 

In general though, I'm saying that I belived that they are here to be of assistance to Tourists. Right or wrong?

[joekicker 53]

I never heard of them until recently. They sound great at first mention, in theory but the more I think about it, the more I don't want them. There are more than enough police around, and we don't need quasi-legals, foreigners at that, with (let's face it) little training and a lot of authority.

 

From one local rag, the good:

 

British visitor Geoffrey John Joiner says he owes his life to the FPV (Foreign Police Volunteers), based at Pattaya police station on Beach Road, after he suffered a heart attack in the toilet at the cops’ headquarters.

http://www.pattaya2day.com/index.php?actio...ews&id=2378

 

The volunteers give up their own time for short training courses to bolster the 1,000 plus regular police force in Chonburi. They are shown here at a recent meeting in the Soi Bukao heath centre.

http://www.pattaya2day.com/index.php?actio...ews&id=2338

 

 

And the bad

 

I am not saying volunteers, Thai and foreigner, don’t do a worthwhile job – maybe they do, but I do wonder about their role, the parameters of their powers, their professional approach and their tactics,especially given the recent deluge of bad publicity Thai volunteers have had.

Is there any oversight of their performance? Do they publish arrest/involvement/action lists? Are they performance reviewed? I would like to know answers to all these questions, and if I find them, I will share them with you.

 

http://www.pattaya2day.com/index.php?actio...ews&id=2553

Edited October 11, 2007 by joekicker

[Skygod 40]

Originally instigated in Chiang Mai, the Volunteer force has expanded to Pattaya & Phuket.

 

“These volunteers are not here to fight crime. They are here to serve as an intermediary between tourists and the Thai culture and police. They translate between various languages and Thai, they teach our tourist police to speak English, they tell tourists where to find certain things, or what to do under various situations. We stress the importance of calling for backup and of never getting involved in a dangerous situation, and they always patrol in pairs.”

 

Each volunteer can choose to work as a translator, teacher, sit behind the police desk and offer advice, or pound the streets. Some volunteers work one to two hours per week, others spend days in uniform. It is a very informal arrangement.

[SOLOTREKKER 0]

The TPVs have NO powers of arrest or detention, they were primarily set up to look for and catch Peadophiles operating in LOS, Since the Sunami, their role has been slightly increased, but acting as a go between with tourists and Thai police is also one of their roles, there are a few forums around that are asking questions about their use and now extended role, and one has ask the question how they see themselves, and what kind of motives they have for volunteering, I am sure that some are just 'civic' minded, but there must be few 'Wannabees' amongst them!!.

 

Heres a news link

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/a...o&lpos=main

Edited October 11, 2007 by SOLOTREKKER

[Sybarite 1]

Are these the farang guys who visit go go bars posing as customers and then report back to the police on any bars which show too much nudity or are running explicit shows? Leading to some of our favourite bars being closed down for long periods and the girls in the other bars being forced to don bikinis?

 

If so then fuck them.

 

They are nothing worse than traitors!

 

[Regyai 415]

Same deal with 'sting' operations on shops selling copy stuff etc.

[Eneukman 1]

Are these the farang guys who visit go go bars posing as customers and then report back to the police on any bars which show too much nudity or are running explicit shows? Leading to some of our favourite bars being closed down for long periods and the girls in the other bars being forced to don bikinis?

 

If so then fuck them.

 

They are nothing worse than traitors!

 

 

No, the Tourist Police Volunteer are not involved in these stings. Most of these appear to be organised by the Bangkok Police in any event. The Tourist Police's primary duty is to provide assistance to tourists etc.

 

I would imagine that any farang found to be responsible for a bar being closed for even a short time (especially a Thai owned one) could expect to have a very short life expectancy if seen walking about town. I don't know who the wankers are who actually do this sort of thing but suspect that it is payback for being allowed to stay in the country.

 

Alan